To all victims of abuse and harassment.

Foreword

The name Fallen Star might suggest defeat but it was taken because the author wanted to tell the readers that even when everything is destroyed one can shine in the darkness. That's why the title says Fallen Star not fallen warrior. The name of the cover page of the novel is Cage and it says the same thing. The chained wings and body are in the darkness but the smile on the face and the vibrant glow emitted by the body is in contrast to each other; it says a star can be shined in the darkness despite being chained to different norms. So, believe in yourself and don't let others' opinions and words chain you down and drag you into the darkness. Life is beautiful and death is not the solution. Thus, if you are in the same situation as the main characters of this novel Lasya and Dhani; focus on survival. That's the key to making life worthy of all pain and suffering. One day you will be proud of yourself.

Preface

Based on the real-life story

Acknowledgements

To my mother and father who always supported me.

To my best friends Abhilasha, Padmesh and Pratiksha for helping me a lot.

To my editor who humbly refused to add his name.

******

"Lasya! How many times should I tell you this?", Sanket yelled sending shivers down her spine as he aggressively rambled on while she trembled in terror in front of his angry self. "STOP BEING SL*T. If you have a boyfriend then why the hell do you need friends? I told you multiple times I don't like you talking with other boys. You can talk with me, and me only", he continued ignoring the fact that he is making the situation worse.

"You know, I love you a lot. I just want to protect you from this cruel world", Sanket stated in a calmer tone this time, which made Lasya's heart feel a bit of concern in his outcry of agony.

Sanket Holkar was a tall man. His black hair and pale face were a wonderful combination. Perhaps that could be the reason everyone called him chocolate boy. He was famous in his high school for his killer attitude. His biggest ambition was to be a politician. His brown eyes were deep like the ocean. Girls used to slip and fall in them but he ignored every other girl except him with a girl named Lasya because of his unending love for her. His father was a Collector (Indian Administrative Services). That's what he told her and made her believe. His best friend was Rishu Patil. He was the only one who knew every little thing about him. He trusts him a lot and always treats him like his brother. After high school, he took engineering for further studies.

Lasya Deshmukh was a sweet girl. Her long raven hair and pretty face were a dazzling combination. She has a friendly personality with a mixture of loving nature. She used to take care of people around her because of her loving spirit. She was famous in the class due to her Cheerful personality. She had only one goal, to find a lovely partner. After some Sparks of romance, she found a loving partner Sanket Holkar. She didn't know what she wanted to do in the future besides finding a good partner. She was good at biology subject than mathematics so she took science as her career option after the end of middle school. After Highschool she started to learn pharmacy to become Pharmacist. The only thing she hated was politics.

"I got it. I am sorry. I know you are doing all this to protect me", Lasya replied trying to swallow her tears despite knowing she was doing something wrong all this time. She ignored everything and with her teary eyes went back to her home.

"Mom, I am back", She announced with a broken tone. "Lasya! Did something happen in your college?", her mother asked softly after observing her moist eyes and tear tracks on her cheeks. It must be that same boy Sanket, she thought but waited for her reply. "Nope, Mom. I am just tired. Nothing happened at college", she said and slammed shut the door of her room.

DING (A notification of cellphone)

It must be him. He must have messaged me to know if I reach home or not so he could begin his lecture, Lasya thought as soon as she heard the notification. She ignored that message and went inside to take a nice warm bath.

"Lasya!", her mother called her. "Yes Mom?", she yelled. "Dinner is ready. Eat it after a bath. I am going for a jog", her mother replied.

"Yes, Mother", She yelled back. After a nice long shower, she came and changed her clothes. She was going to eat but her phone rang. She reluctantly went to see the caller Id. It was Anushree.

ANUSHREE PATIL! Why is she calling me after ghosting me like that? Lasya thought but still picked up the call.

"Hello", Lasya said in a low voice. "Hey, Lasya! How are you?" Anushree interrogates her cheerfully. "I am good. What about you?", Lasya asked her back genuinely. " I am good too!", She replied. "I am coming to your city for some shopping can we meet?"

"Sure?", Lasya said without knowing what is waiting for her. "Can you bring Sanket with you too?" Anushree asked excitedly. "We fought Anu. I don't want to talk with him", Lasya replied. "Come on. I know you two will make up soon. I will see you tomorrow", Anushree stated and hung up.

Am I this vulnerable in front of him? Lasya thought and went into her room. Dinner was long forgotten. She was too tired from her life.

Next morning at 9 AM

"Good morning, Mom! "Lasya greets her mother with a new smile on her face. "Morning dear", her mother greats back. " Mom I will be heading out today in the afternoon. Anushree asked me to meet her", she said. Her mother nodded in response. Lasya went back to her room and freshened up. She got ready and started to complete her assignment. With that pen in her hand, memories began to flash in her mind as she was scribbling her assignment.

"But Anushree! Why are you breaking our friendship? Did I do something wrong?" Lasya asked in a meekly. "You did only one thing. You didn't tell me that he was planning for a break-up", Anushree replied.

"How is that my fault? Sanket told me about it and said don't tell her. What good is gonna happen if I had told u about it?" Lasya tried to put her point in front of her best friend. "It's only an excuse Lasya! You never looked at me as your best friend, don't ever, EVER try to talk with me", Anushree said some harsh words and left her alone.

Tears started to roll down from her eyelids as she mumbled "If I had told you about him you would break ties with him then he will accuse Sanket of spilling the beans which will result in scolding me with every foul word known to him. Either way, this relationship was going to break. He might have said that I was trying to break your relationship. You will eventually believe him and then after some while, he will leave you. Either way, I am at a loss".

"Why there are lone tears in my eyes? It doesn't hurt at all", Lasya stated while wiping that tear away hurriedly. Suddenly her phone rang! It was from her friend Krishna! Lasya quickly picks up the call.

"Hi, Krishna!" she gleamed through her words. "Hey, what are you doing today?" Krishna asked with levelled-up energies on both sides of the call.

"Why? Have some plans?" Lasya asked casually, acknowledging the fact even if she had plans, she would not enjoy her time cause Sanket won't like it. "Yes, Wait! Are you crying?" Lasya chuckled and replied as she felt warmth after hearing it, "No!"

"Oh! Okay, how about we go and hang out at City Mall? Dhani will come as well", Krishna suggested. "Krishna! I fought yesterday", Lasya interrupted in a low voice.

"Sanket must be angry as you have a male friend! right?" Krishna just guessed everything right. "Yeah!" She replied. It was more like a whisper.

"What crap he said this time? ", Krishna asked annoyingly. "He said... Stop acting like ****! If you have a boyfriend then you can't make friends. Don't even talk with other boys", Lasya replied.

"Lasya I am telling you, girl! He is not right for you. You didn't agree with him, did you?" Krishna asked. She was worried but she was madder. She hated the way Sanket treats Lasya. But the thing she hates more was Lasya suffering in silence in the name of fake love which is wrong.

"Of course not! It's a very old dogmatic ritual of not talking with other males. But..." Krishna cuts her sentence. "But you don't want to fight because you love him. Moreover, you two are close friends so everyone thinks you and Dhani are dating"

"Exactly!", Lasya exclaimed as Krishna guessed everything correctly. "No one can help you, Lasya. Not until you leave that boy!", Krishna stated in an angry tone and hang up.

"Gosh! She is angry!" Lasya said while gazing at her phone. Before she put it down her phone rang again. This time it was from Sanket.

"Hello", he said casually. "I heard you agreed to meet with Anushree!" He asked with a bit of excitement which he tried to hide.

"Yes! Can you come with us?" Lasya asked without a second thought as she also wanted to spend some time with her boyfriend. And she also had a reason to come out so she doesn't have to lie to her mother.

"I?" Gosh! She is bringing Ruhi with her. Her roommate. I don't wanna meet her but maybe I can make Lasya regret making friends at her college and it will help me with one more thing. She was a good girl in high school though she had an affair in junior high school. I should teach a lesson to her for acting like ****; Sanket thought.

"Yeah you", Lasya replied. "Okay! I will get ready then", Sanket replied suddenly with excitement and hung up the call. After that call, he calls Anushree.

"Hello," Anushree picks up the call to hear good news. She was damn sure Sanket will come.

"Thanks, she asked me to come", he stated. "So, it will be her fault. But I swear Sanket that Ruhi is such a nice girl. She loves politics too. She will support you. Consider her, will you?" Anushree tried to convince him.

"I see. I am considering it anyway. See you at the city mall", Sanket replied and hang up.

"Mom, I am leaving", Lasya yelled to inform her mother that she is leaving. She was dressed in yellow attire. Her brown side bangs were looking gorgeous on her pretty face. "Be careful", her mom replied whilst marching into the living room. She watched her only child leave with a heavy heart.

Ring

"Hello", Her mother picked up the call on the first ring. Her voice was low which was an indication of her heavy heart. " Did anything happen at home dear?" her husband asked in a soothing voice. It was enough for her to calm down. "Nothing! When are you coming home dear?", she asks in a sweet voice. "Soon! Where is Lasya?", He asked with a worried voice. "She went outside to meet her friends", she replied. Her face looked pale as she thought of the consequences of meeting her old friend. Soon husband and wife started to talk and it lasts long for a while. On the other hand, Lasya reached the Mall and was about to call her friend when she saw three of them.

"Sanket, Anushree, and who is she?", Lasya muttered as she saw three people at the table. Steadily she approached them. As soon as Anushree noticed her presence as she hugged her tightly like they are close friends, just like they were before. Because of Lasya's nature, she gladly accepted that hug pretending nothing happened before.

"You got here!", Sanket said coldly without even looking at her. "Yeah!" She replied and smiled sweetly. She looked at her friend Anushree and said "I thought we are here for shopping."

"Yeah! Me too", Sanket said making an innocent face. "Yeah, I was and I did it. I put it in my bag", Anushree lied about it on the spot. "Okay! Then who is she?" Lasya finally asked as she keeps staring at her boyfriend.

"Oh sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Ruhi Patil her roommate." a fair girl with long black hair introduced herself. Before Lasya could say anything, they heard an announcement of the event. SHARE YOUR STORY CAMPAIGN.

We request all of you to come ahead and share your story and sing a song with us. "It's awesome! I heard you can sing well. Go and sing us a song", Ruhi burst with excitement. Lasya smiled bitterly and said, "No! It's fine. I can't sing that well". Anushree was quiet for a long time. Lasya hopes she says anything to stop her friend.

"Let's go I will accompany you", Anushree stated shattering every single hope. Lasya was about to reject the offer when Ruhi barged in. "Are you afraid of leaving your boyfriend alone with me?"

What? Yes, I am! And it looks like you two have ulterior motives about this whole situation. But.... but I can't let them see my insecurities, she thought. "No! Why should I? I trust my man", Lasya stated and looked at him. But her hopes got shattered again. He was sitting there unbothered and only Lasya was getting hurt. She stood up and left the place. Anushree followed her after glancing at her friend last time.

As soon as Lasya and Anushree left Sanket smiled bitterly. I feel sad, but why? he thought. "Sanket! Are you ok?", Ruhi asked him after studying his expression for a while. Sanket didn't respond to her he just eyed her coldly. " Sanket, I Love you, Will you be my boyfriend?", Ruhi proposed to her love of life. She was down to earth girl simple and sweet, unlike Lasya who loved to dress up. As soon as she proposed to him, they heard an announcement.

"OH, SO SWEET HERE IS OUR FIRST PARTICIPANT! SO, WHAT'S YOUR NAME?" The host of the show asked her.

"LASYA DESHMUKH!", she replied and smiled sweetly.

"SUCH A BEAUTIFUL NAME!", the host stated and smiled too.

"Of course, BEAUTIFUL LADY HAS A BEAUTIFUL NAME!", Lasya stated and smiled again. Anushree was watching her with a satisfactory smile.

"WHAT'S YOUR STORY?" A host of that event asked her.

"STORY! THERE IS A PERSON IN MY LIFE WHO IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY SORRY TO HIM. I AM SORRY MY LOVE! DON'T BE ANGRY, HERS IS A SONG FOR YOU

"YOU", she replied and started to sing a famous song 'The Moment we meet'.

When we meet,

the night was shining like a silver diamond

And I felt our souls are tied

With the threat of destiny

I wish we will stay together forever

Like breath stays with me

I would like to hear your heartbeat

Only for me!

So don't stay angry with me

I want you to know that u mean most to me

So don't be mad

I am afraid that the story will stay unfinished

But I want you to know that I loved u

Since the moment when we meet

Everyone clapped for her as soon as her song is finished. She smiled happily after seeing everyone respond to her singing.

"YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL VOICE", the host exclaimed.

"OH! THANK YOU", she replied.

"SO, IS THAT MAN HERE?" the host interrogated.

"YEAH, HE IS! HE IS AT THE FOOD COURT", she replied and suddenly a rush of blood came as she felt shy.

"SHOULD I CALL HIM?" the host asked her and she rejected his offer on the spot. While all of this was happening here someone was planning to start the game with her.

"Sanket she can only show off. Please listen to me. Give me a chance", Ruhi said with innocent eyes. Suddenly he agreed to it. "Okay! But let me tell you I love her. I can't guarantee you that I can give you the same love that I gave her", he said.

"I know you love her. But I believe I can treat you better than her. I can make you fall in love with me", Ruhi stated and smiled sweetly. He didn't say much and smiled back. Soon both Anushree and Lasya came back.

"Hey did you hear my singing?", Lasya asked him with so much excitement. She waited for his reply eagerly. But he replied coldly. "Yeah! You sang well".

"Are you still mad at me?", Lasya asked him. "No! I am tired. I want to go home and have some rest", he replied.

Lasya's mood suddenly lifted and she felt a rush of joy reaching toward her heart. She hugged him tightly and said, "Okay! Let's go home".

Sanket was unable to act more in front of her smile and hugged her back lovingly. Seeing them lovely made Ruhi sad but she held her emotions and smiled bitterly. Both Sanket and Lasya bid goodbye to each other and departed.

"So did he agree?", Anushree asked her with tons of excitement in her eyes. "Yeah! It's party time", Ruhi replied and hugged her roommate tightly.